Kidney stones are collections of minerals in the kidney. These pass through the urine and make the process a painful one. However, the important question is how long does it take to pass a kidney stone? This post talks about the causes and treatment methods of this condition.
The time needed for a kidney stone to pass out depends on a variety of factors. The size of the stone is the primary defining factor, the lifestyle habits, and the physiology of the individual are other considerations to be taken.
These are created in the kidneys and slowly find their way into the urinary tract of a person. Passing them can be quite painful if the stone is big in size, and this size can be as big as a golf ball or as small as a grain of sand.
The kidneys have the sole task of flushing out toxins and other waste materials from the body through urine, so if they are suffering from some diseases or infections, this ultimately leads to many other health issues.
Knowing the time required is something that can give some mental peace to someone who is afflicted by this condition, and they must take heart from the fact that the stone can pass out in a matter of hours. Some stones however, may even take days or weeks. It really depends on the symptoms that the person is displaying.
What is a Kidney Stone?
A renal calculi is simply a collection of various minerals inside the kidney that have accumulated there and are refusing to pass out of the urinary tract with ease. They usually form small-sized balls that look like stones, hence the name.
One of its main causes is dehydration, as this means that the person is unable to pass urine frequently. This results in many waste minerals getting accumulated in the kidney, often resulting in the formation of a kidney stone.
Some stones that are small in size pass out with the urine fairly easily and pose no major problems or threats. On the other hand, some become quite large and end up blocking the urinary tract. This has an effect on the rest of the body, as the waste materials are not getting released the way they are meant to.
The presence of these large sized stones is also accompanied by intense pain while passing urine. Some people also complain of a burning sensation, and in some cases, the urine is also accompanied by traces of blood.
Treatment Process
It is known to every doctor that the best way to treat this problem is to drink lots and lots of water. This will make you urinate a lot, and ultimately flush out the kidney stone. You may experience some pain and discomfort while doing so, but this is the best way to go about it.
Keep in mind, that since the stones have been formed as a collection of minerals in the kidney, you must not drink mineral water as this could worsen the condition. Drink distilled water instead, as this is one of the best natural remedies.
Including lots of fiber in your diet will also aid you in this process and it would considerably lower the amount of time required for removal. Avoid spicy foods, large amounts of caffeine, and do not live a sedentary lifestyle, and you will rarely be afflicted by this condition. Even if you do somehow get kidney stones, they will be fairly small in size and will soon pass out of your system painlessly.
Passing a Kidney Stone After Lithotripsy
This is a method of eliminating the stones while they are still inside your body. There is no surgical incision required and it is a completely non-invasive technique.
The procedure is carried out using shock waves that are transmitted through the body to crush the stones and to break them into tiny pieces. This makes it easier for these small particles to pass through the urine. Using this method means that no surgery is required, and the stones pass out almost instantly upon urination.
The pain tolerance of the individual is considered though, as some people experience more pain while undergoing lithotripsy.
So, the final answer really depends on the symptoms shown, the course of action recommended by the doctor, the physical characteristics of the concerned individual, and lastly but most importantly, the size of the kidney stone.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.